Communication system utilizing magnetic recorders



.lune 26, 1956 G. H. LEE

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILIZING MAGNETIC RECORDERS 7 Sheets-Sheet lOriginal Filed July l0, 1948 June 26, 1956 G, H, LEE Re. 24,170

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G. H. LEE

June 26, 1956 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILZING MAGNETIC RECORDERS '7Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 10. 1948 mi Y@ INVENTOR.

June 26, 1956 G. H. LEE Re. 24,170

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June 26, 1956 G. H. LEE Re. 24,170

COMMUNICATION SY TEM UTILIZING MAGNETIC RECORDERS '7 Sheets-Sheet 5Original Filed July lO, 1948 IN VEN TOR.

June 26, 1956 G. H LEE Re. 24,170

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILIZINC MAGNETIC RECCRDERS Original Filed Julyl0. 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR.

June 26, 1956 G. H. LEE Re- 24,170

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILIZING MAGNETIC RECORDERS Original Filed Julyl0. 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 lq@ k. u

IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent Oti Re. 24,170 Reissued June 26, 1956 iceCOMMUNICATION SYSTEM UTILIZING MAGNETIC RECORDERS George H. Lee, akRidge, Tenn.

Original No. 2,669,605, dated February 16, 1954, Serial No. 38,104, July10, 1948. Application for reissue July 13, 1955, Serial No. 521,941

40 Claims. (Cl. 179-6) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specilication; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

This invention relates generally to telephonie communication systemsand, more particularly, to telephonie communication systems utilizingrepeating type magnetic recorders as a component thereof.

Although the principles of operation and many of the detailed mechanismsof the present invention have application to other fields, the presentinvention nds particular utility as a system for transmittingquotations, that is, the'current bid and asked prices of securities,from the trading door of a securities exchange to brokerage houseslocated some distance from the exchange. The invention, therefore, willbe described with particular reference to such a quotation system. Thisquotation information is to be distinguished from the information as tothe latest selling price of securities, which latter information istransmitted by the ticker tape.

As a basis of comparison, and in order to clarify the problem involved,it will be helpful to outline a typical quotation system presently inuse at a typical securities exchange. The approximately one thousandsecurities for which current quotations must be supplied are broken downinto twenty groups or codes, each having a code number and eachconsisting of perhaps fty securities. On the oor of the exchange thereare perhaps one hundred quotation pages, each of whom are responsiblefor perhaps ten securities. Each quotation page is in telephoniccommunication with a teleregister operator of Whom there are perhapstwenty, each teleregister operator having jurisdiction over one code offifty securities. Each teleregister operator has remote control over onesection or code of a large teleregister or annunciator board upon whichthe quotations of the various securities are visibly displayed. Theteleregister operators control over the quotations appearing on theteleregister board is by way of a manually operated key set, which keyset, along with the teleregister board, comprises simply anelectromagnetic relay type of annunciator system. Seated in front of theteleregister board are perhaps one hundred quotation telephone clerks,each clerk being seated where she can see one code or section of theteleregister board.

The customers of the service, that is the brokerage houses locatedoutside of the exchange building, have a total of perhaps live hundreddirect telephone lines which connect to an automatic telephone exchangelocated in the exchange building. By dialing the code number associatedwith the security for which the customer desires a quotation, aconnection is automatically established between the customers telephoneset and that of one of the five quotation telephone clerks assigned tothat code. This quoation telephone clerk is in a position to provide thecustomer with the desired quotation.

It will be apparent that, in the above-outlined present system, thequotation information is transferred from the quotation page on the oorof the exchange to the customer through two intermediaries, namely, theteleregister operator and the quotation telephone clerk. Thesetransferals necessarily introduce not only delay but also additionalpossibilities of human error. Furthermore, the large number of trainedemployees required to operate the present system is expensive andcontributes to the lack of llexibility of the entire quotation system.

Applicant, with knowledge of the defects and disadvantages inherent inthe present system, has for his overall object the provision of aquotation system which is completely automatic from the quotation pageat the Hoor of the exchange through to the customer outside theexchange.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a quotation systemutilizing repeating type magnetic recording-reproducing devices as ameans of storing the quotation information and making it continuouslyavailable to the customer.

More general objects of the present invention are to provideimprovements in communication systems involving repeating type magneticrecorders and to provide improvements in such repeating type magneticrecorders.

A specic object of the present invention is to provide a novel repeatingtype magnetic recording and reproducing system which employs a discretelength of magnetic medium rather than an endless magnetic medium.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a schematic overall representation of the entire quotationsystem of the present invention from the quotation page at the floor ofthe exchange through to the brokerage houses;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of a typical portion of the system shown inFig. 1, illustrating equipment and associated circuits which may beutilized for providing the quotation page communication with, andcontrol over, the magnetic recorders under his jurisdiction;

Fig. 3 is a wiring diagram illustrating a modification of the equipmentand circuits shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed wiring diagram illustrating another modification ofthe equipment and circuits shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram of a non-dial operated automatic switchingsystem which may be used in the present invention in place of theconventional dial operated automatic telephone exchange;

Fig. 6 is a schematic and wiring diagram of a novel repeating typemagnetic recorder which may be utilized in place of the conventionalrepeating type magnetic recorder in the present quotation system;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of a portion of a system wherein aplurality of quotations arey recorded on the novel repeating typemagnetic recorder of Fig. 6;

Fig. S is a schematic representation of a portion of a system similar toFig. 7 utilizing the conventional type of repeating magnetic recorder;

Fig. 9 is a schematic representation of a moditcation of Fig. 8employing a magnetic recorder having an elongated erasing head which iselective over a substantial length of the magnetic recording medium.

By repeating type magnetic recording-reproducing system, as used in thisspecification and in the appended claims, is meant one which, uponhaving a signal initially recorded thereon, is adapted to automaticallycontinue to repeat the reproduction of such signal indefinitely Withoutany manual intervention or any change in the direction of movement ofthe magnetic medium. In the past such repeating type systems havecomprised exclusively systems employing an endless magnetic medium.However, in Figs. 6 and 7 of the present application, there is shown aspecial arrangement of a system employing a discrete length magneticmedium rather than an endless magnetic medium, which special arrangementalso constitutes a repeating type system, as defined above.

In describing the quotation system of the present invention it will beassumed that there are exactly one thousand securities for whichquotations must be supplied to five hundred customers, that is, fivehundred brokerage houses. It is also assumed that under the presentsystem each quotation page on the oor of the exchange is able to handletwenty securities. Accordingly, there are fifty quotation pages on thefloor of the exchange.

Referring to Fig. 1, wherein the entire quotation system isschematically illustrated, there are shown located on the floor of theexchange fifty identical telephone and control sets numbered 1, 12, 13150, each set being assigned to and utilized by a particular one of thefty quotation pages for supplying the quotations for the twentysecurities under his jurisdiction. Each telephone and control set hasassociated with it a line selector switch and twenty repeating typemagnetic recording-reproducing devices. Thus, telephone and control set1 is connected by telephone line 2 (consisting of wires 2', 2") to theassociated line selector switch 3, which line selector switch connectsline 2 to a particular one of the twenty lines 4, 42, 4s 420 which leadto the twenty magnetic recorders 5, 52, 5s 520, respectively. It isapparent that there is one magnetic recorder associated with each of theone thousand individual securities.

The quotation page, through his telephone and control set 1, has controlover the connection made by the line selector switch 3, and, after thedesired connection has been established to the desired one of the twentymagnetic recorders, he also has control over the connected magneticrecorder, that is, he can cause the magnetic recorder to repeatedlyreproduce a previously recorded quotation, or erase the previouslyrecorded quotation and record a new one, as he desires. In this manner,each of the one thousand magnetic recorders has recorded thereon by aquotation page the current quotation of the particular security assignedto it, and is thereafter left in its reproducing condition such that thequotation is sent out on the associated one of the telephone lines 6,62, 6s 61mm, which lines terminate in line selector switch 7.

Each of the five hundred telephone sets 9, 92, 93 9500 in the variousbrokerage offices are also connected to line selector switch 7 byprivate telephone lines 8, 8:, 8s 8500, respectively. The line selectorswitch 7 could, of course, be simply a manually operated telephoneexchange, but preferably, it is an automaiic'dial operated exchange ofany of the well known types. However, it may be a simplified form ofsuch an automatic dial exchange in that neither a ringing signal nor D.C. talking current need be supplied to the called lines 6 to 61000. Thetelephone sets 9 to 9500 may be the ordinary dial sets except thatneither a transmitter nor ringing equipment is needed and these may beomitted. The operator of telephone set 9 merely dials the numbercorresponding to the security for which he desires a quotation, listensas the quotation is supplied by the magnetic recorder after the lineselector switch 7 has made the proper connection, and then hangs up.Preferably, in order to reduce the possibility of the brokerage housereceiving a busy signal, each of lines 6 to 61000 terminate in aplurality of parallel called jacks at the line selector switch 8, all ofwhich jacks are available for connection to any .one of lines 8 to 8500.Obviously, more of such parallel -jacks would be required for those oflines 6 to 61000 which are associated with an important or popularsecurity.

Referring now to Fig. 2, wherein one method of establishing theconnection to, and control over, the magnetic recorders from thetelephone and control sets on the oor of the exchangeis shown, telephoneand control set 1 may be for the most part a conventional dial set 12,condenser 13, and rotary dial mechanism 14, all connected in theconventional manner to the outgoing telephone line consisting of wires2, 2". Since the noise level at the floor of the exchange may at timesbe rather high, transmitter 10 is preferably one of the special highlydirectional types developed for such service. Transmitter 10, forinstance, might even be a throat microphone. Telephone set 1 is furtherdistinguished from the conventional set in that a local source of twentycycle alternating voltage is available for connection directly acrosscondenser 13 by means of switch 15 under the manual control of thequotation page. When switch 1S is closed this twenty cycle signalvoltage is applied across line 2', 2" by inductive coupling throughtransformer 12.

The line selector switch 3 may be a much simplified conventionalautomatic dial operated telephone exchange. Possible simplifications,other than those arising from the single incoming calling line and thesmall number (twenty) of outgoing called lines, include omission of thebusy signal to the calling line since the called line cannot be busy,omission of the ringing signal to the called line,

and omission of the need for D. C. talking current tol the called line.A typical satisfactory type of common battery connection which may beestablished between the incoming calling line and the called line isindicated merely for illustrative purposes at the interior of the lineselector switch 3. Although the particular connection shown does provideD. C. talking current for the called line, this is not necessary, aspreviously stated.

The magnetic recording-reproducing equipment 5 is schematicallyindicated as the repeating type having an endless magnetizable medium25, such as a tape or wire, which is continuously and repeatedly drivenat a constant speed past the erasing head EH, recording head RH, andtransmitting head TH. The disc type of magnetic recorder would also besuitable for this purpose. The lower terminal of the winding of each ofheads EH, RH, and TH may be grounded, as indicated. The upper terminalsof these windings are connected through a gang switch 18 to theirrespective amplifiers 21, 20 and 19. The input of the erasing amplifier21 is fed from a suitable oscillator 22 which supplies a supersonicerasing signal. A series circuit consisting of condenser 24 and theprimary of audio transformer 23 is connected across the telephone line4', 4". Opposite terminals of the secondary of transformer 23 areconnected to the input of recording amplifier 20, and these terminalsare also connected to the output of transmitting am- I plier 19.

Another series circuit consisting of condenser 17 and relay winding 16are connected across line 4', 4, this circuit preferably being resonantat the twenty cycle frequency of the control signal. Winding 16, inconjunction with gang switch 18, forms an A. C. time delay relaydesigned such that when the winding 16 is momentarily energized, switch18 is activated to its nonnormal position and remains at such positionfor the delay period after the winding 16 has been de-energized. Relayswitch 18 is shown in its normal or non-energized position, and thisconvention is followed for the relays shown in all of the drawings. Thedelay period of the relay is set equal to the cycle time of therepeating magnetic recorder 5, that is, the time required for themagnetic medium 25 to make one complete revolution around the recorder.The cycle time, in turn, is adjusted so as yto be somewhat longer thanthe time required for the recitation of a single quotation,

In the operation of the system shown in Fig. 2, the quotation pageutilizes dial 14 to establish a telephone connection to one of thetwenty magnetic recorders under Y his jurisdiction, the connection beingautomatically made through the conventional automatic exchange equipmentof the line selector switch 3. Fig. 2 illustrates the having the usualtransmitter 10, receiver 11, transformer 'f5 condition immediately afterthe connection has been made to one of the magnetic recorders, in thiscase, recorder 5. It is apparent that at this time if any quotation,such as, three and one-eighth-three and onequarter, had previously beenimpressed upon the recorder medium 25, this quotation will becontinuously repeated and sent out through transmitting head TH, switch18, amplier 19 and transformer. 23 to the telephone line 4, 4", as wellas to line 6', 6", ywhich lines are preferably connected in parallel, asshown. Accordingly, the quotation page may listen to the quotation whichis currently being transmitted via line 6', 6" to the telephone sets inthe brokerage houses which are then connected to line 6', 6" through theline selector switch 7.

In this way, the quotation page may monitor the information going out tothe subscribers. When the quotation changes at the floor of theexchange, the quotation page momentarily closes switch 15, thusmomentarily applying the twenty cycle control signal to the line. Thissignal momentarily energizes winding 16, thereby moving switch 18 to itsnon-normal position for the duration of exactly one cycle. During thiscycle time, the erasing head EH is activated thus erasing completely theentire length of the recording medium 25. Also during this time, therecording head RH is coupled to line 4', 4" by way of transformer 23,recording amplifier 20, and switch 18 so that there will be recorded onthe magnetic medium 25 any signal which appears on line 4', 4". Alsoduring this time, the transmitting head TH is disconnected from theline.

After momentarily closing switch 15, the quotation page waits thefraction of an instant required for the magnetic medium to travel fromthe erasing head EH to the recording head RH and recites the correctcurrent quotation into his transmitter 10, taking care to complete thequotation before the expiration of the delay period, that is, while therecorder remains in its erase-record condition. At the conclusion of thedelay period, switch 18 automatically returns to its original normalposition and the new quotation is thereafter repeatedly transmitted tothe subscribers via line 6l, 6H- to the new quotation to insure that ithas been satisfactorily recorded before breaking the connection anddialing a different recorder.

Since lines 4', 4 and 6', 6" are connected together, it is apparent thatduring the delay period, the subscriber is able to listen directly tothe quotation page as he records the new quotation. Thus, there is notime delay at all between the transmittal of the new information by thequotation page and its receipt by the subscriber. tation page of thequotation being transmitted by the recorder, were not desired in anyparticular application, lines 4', 4" and 6', 6" could be disconnectedfrom each other, line 4', 4" being connected only to the input of therecording circuit of the recorder and line 6', 6" being connected onlyto the output of the transmitting circuit of the recorder.

It will be apparent that the quotation page needs some idea of theduration of the delay period or cycle time in order to complete hisrecording of the new quotation before this period expires. Of course, ifdesired, the cycle time could be set much longer than the time requiredto speak the quotation, thus giving the quotation page so much leewaythat he could not miss. Obviously, however, the service to the customeris improved by providing a cycle time as short as possible so that thepause between repetitions of the quotation will be short. Experience maybe relied on to teach the quotation page the duration of the cycle time.lf desired, however, the quotation page may use a stop watch, or theremay be provided on the iloor of the exchange one or more large dials 26visible to the quotation pages, and having a movable pointer 27synchronized with the mag- If this feature, and the monitoring by thequo- Y The quotation page may, if he so desires, listen netic recorderdrive such that the pointer makes one complete revolution per cycle timeof the recorder. Preferably, all of the recorders 5 to 51000 are drivensynchronously at a constant speed from a common drive so that all willhave a common cycle time.

The gang switch 18 which controls the condition of recorder 5, asbetween record-erase condition and transmit condition, has been shownmerely for convenience as connected between the magnetic heads TH, RHand EH and their respective amplifiers 19, 20 and 21. Obviously, thecontrol switch could be disposed prior to the respective amplifiers soas to control the ampliers and associated magnetic heads together, asillustrated in Fig. 3. The position of the transmitting head TH withrespect to the erasing head EH and recording head RH is not critical.The transmitting head TH might, for instance, be disposed on theopposite side adjacent the erasing head EH, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Asa further variation, amplifiers 19 and 20 could be combined so as toconstitute the single bidirectional amplifier or repeater commonlyemployed in telephony.

Only those portions of the magnetic recording equipment have been shownwhich are necessary to an understanding of the correlationbetWeen thisequipment and the other components of the quotation system. It will beunderstood that, in general, any conventional type of repeating magneticrecording equipment may be used, and that such equipment may includecustomary renements such as equalizer circuits, supersonic bias forrecording, a common recording and transmitting head, etc.

It will be apparent that the connection illustrated as elfected by theline selector switch 3 between the incoming calling line and the calledline is merely one of the conventional common battery types ofconnection, and that any other conventional type, such as the impedancecoil-condenser type, or the repeating coil type, would also besatisfactory. Also, the connection of line 2', 2 to the called line neednot be automatically accomplished.'

This connection could be accomplished manually by an operator at aconventional manual switchboard, in which case, of course, the dialmechanism 14 would be unnecessary and could be omitted. Further, whilethe telephone set 1 is illustrated as utilizing a sidetone circuit, anyconventional circuit, such as a sidetone reduction circuit, or anantisidetone circuit might be utilized.

If the quotation page is supplied with a stop watch, or if the dial 26and pointer 27 timing indicator is provided on the iioor of theexchange, the system shown in Fig. 2 is susceptible of a somewhatdilferent type of operational procedure which would permit the omissionof the time delay feature of the relay comprising winding 16 and switch18. Thus, instead of closing the control switch 15 only momentarily aspreviously described, the quotation page might hold switch 15 closed forexactly one complete cycle, as indicated to him on dial 26. In suchcase, of course, the control relay would be of the nondelay type suchthat switch 18 is always in its normal position when winding 16 is notenergized and in its nonnormal position when winding 16 is energized.

The twenty cycle control signal is to be understood merely asrepresentative of a suitable signal for operating the relay consistingof switch 18 and winding 16. Any remote control system for controllingthe position of switch 18 from the telephone and control set 1 would, ofcourse, be satisfactory. Preferably, however, in order to reduce thetotal amount of wiring required, the remote control system employedshould be one which can utilize the telephone line, itself, for thetransmission of the control signal.

Referring now to Fig. 3, wherein a D. C. control signal rather than thetwenty cycle control signal is utilized to control the position of gangswitch 18 and therefore the condition or status of the magneticrecorder, control switch 15, in this case, effects the momentarygrounding of wire 2 when momentarily closed by the quotation page. Inthis case, no local twenty cycle supply is needed and this supply isomitted. The control relay consisting of winding 16 and gang switch 18is in this case a D. C. time delay relay. One terminal of winding 16 isconnected to the wire 4' which is connectable to wire 2 through the lineselector switch 3, and the other terminal of winding 16 is connected toground through a local battery 30. It is contemplated that a commonbattery 30 may be employed for all of the one thousand windings 16associated with the respective one thousand magnetic recorders. Inoperation, it is obvious that the momentary closing of switch by thequotation page effects the momentary energization of winding 16, andthis, in turn, elfects the movement of gang switch 18 to its non-normalposition for the duration of the .delay or cycle time. Otherwise, theoperation of the system shown in Fig. 3 is identical to that previouslydescribed with respect to Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 4, wherein the condition of the magnetic recorderis not under the control of the quotation page at all, but rather isautomatically controlled through the operation of the line selectorswitch 3, the telephone set of the quotation page, in this case, has thereceiver and its associated mechanism omitted. Also in Fig. 4, theoutput of the transmitting circuit of the recorder is permanentlycoupled to line 6', 6", and the input of the recording circuit of therecorder is permanently coupled to line 4', 4", that is, theseconnections do not include a switching element of time delay relayswitch 18'. Switch 18 does, however, include a new switching ele ment 28which is connected in series with the D. C. relay winding 16, thisseries circuit being connected directly across line 4', 4". The normalposition of switching element 28 is closed, as shown. In Fig. 4, lines4', 4" and 6', 6" are not interconnected.

In the operation of the circuit of Fig. 4, it is apparent that the mereestablishment of the line connection to line 4', 4" by the line selectorswitch 3 is sufficient to energize relay winding 16 from the commonbattery of the line selector switch 3. As before, energization ofwinding 16 effects the movement of gang switch 18' to its nonnormalposition for the duration of the delay period or cycle time. During thistime, the old incorrect quotation is automatically erased and thequotation page records the new correct quotation. He also hangs up priorto the termination of the delay period. As a result of his hanging up,the line selector switch 3, of course, automatically breaks the circuitto line 4', 4". Thus, by the time that the delay period has expired andswitch element 28 has returned to its normal closed position, thecircuit through the common battery of line selector switch 3 has beenbroken and relay winding 16 therefore remains deenergized until suchtime as the quotation page again dials the number corresponding totelephone line 4', 4".

Merely as illustrative of a satisfactory variation, the common batteryconnection established by the automatic line selector switch 3, in thiscase, has been shown as the repeating coil type.

It will be apparent that in the circuit of Fig. 4 the quotation page isnot able to monitor the quotation being transmitted by the twentyrecorders under his jurisdiction. Accordingly, when this type of circuitis' employed it is of somewhat more importance that the dial 26 andassociated pointer 27 o-f Fig. 2 be provided in order to insure that thequotation page accomplishes the recording of the new quotation and thebreaking of the circuit during the delay period.

In Fig. 5, there are shown the details of an electromechanicalarrangement for establishing the connection between line 2', 2" and thedesired one of lines 4', 4; 42', 42"; 42o', 42u, which arrangement issomewhat different from the conventional dial controlled automaticexchange equipment called for in the preceding figures.

In order to simplify the drawing, it is assumed in this particular case,that the quotation page has only ten -8 magnetic recorders under hisjurisdiction instead of twenty, and that therefore there are only tencalled lines 4', 4"; 42', 42"; 41o', 41u".

Merely as illustrative of a satisfactory variation, the telephone set ofthe quotation page is indicated, in this case, as incorporating asidetone reduction circuit. The lower terminal of the transmitter 10 isconnected to the slider arm of a manually operable rotary selectorswitch 31. Switch 31 has ten active or on positions, as indicated byterminals 36, and ten intermediate or off positions, as indicated byterminals 37. All of the terminals 36 are connected directly totelephone wire 2". Wire 2" is connected through relay winding 40,battery 34, and the primary of transformer 33 back to line 2. Oppositeterminals of the secondary winding of transformer 33 are connected, asby wires 35, 35', to the respective slider arms of rotary switches 32,32', which rotary switches are mechanically tied together so as tooperate in synchronisrn with each other. Wires 2 and 35 are electricallyinterconnected, as shown.

Rotary switches 32, 32 each have ten active positions, as indicated byterminals 38, 3S', respectively, which active positions correspond tothe active positions 36 of rotary switch 31. As shown, the telephonelines 4', 4"; 42', 42"; etc., which lead to the respective magneticrecorders, are connected to the terminals 3S, 38 in such a way that aconnection is established between telephone line 35, 35 and a particularone of the telephone lines 4', 4"; 42', 42"; etc. depending upon theposition of switches 32, 32'. It is apparent also that telephone line35, 3S' and telephone line 2', 2" are coupled through transformer 33.

The slider arms of switches 32, 32 are actuated by means of relaywinding 4t) through the relay plunger 42 and paw] and ratchetarrangement 41, the pawl of which is pivotally mounted on the plunger42. Thus, each time the relay winding 40 is energized (as shown) theslider arms of rotary switches 32, 32' advance in the directionindicated one position, and when the relay winding 40 is de-energizedthe slider arms of rotary switches 32, 32' remain stationary.

The slider arm of rotary switch 31, rather than being mounted to befreely movable, is mechanically mounted by way of a pawl and ratchetarrangement 43 and a friction coupling 44. Ratchet arrangement 43permits manual rotation of the slider arm of rotary switch 31 in onlyone direction, as indicated by the arrow, and the friction device 44restrains the angular velocity with which the slider arm of switch 31can be rotated to a reasonable rate which may be followed by theelectromagnetic relay mechanism associated with switches 32, 32.

If we initially assume that the slider arm o-f switch 31 is in an olfposition and is then moved to the next on position, it will be apparentthat relay winding 40 is' thereby energized and the slider arms ofswitches 32, 32 are both advanced one position. If the slider arm ofswitch 31 is then advanced to the next olf position, relay winding 40 isde-energized and the slider arms of switches 32, 32' remain stationary.Accordingly, the slider arms of switches 32, 32' remain at all timessynchronized with the slider arm of switch 31 except when the latter isin an off position, in which case the position of switches 32, 32correspond to the preceding activ position of switch 31.

Each o-f the active terminals 36 of rotary switch 31 correspond to oneof the ten magnetic recorders under the jurisdiction of the quotationpage and these terminals are so labelled. Accordingly, in order toestablish a telephonie connection between his telephone set and anydesired one of the magnetic recorders under his jurisdiction, thequotation page simply positions the slider arm of switch 31 at theterminal corresponding to that magnetic recorder. There is thusestablished a connection between his telephone line 2', 2" and thetelephone line associated with that magnetic recorder. When thetelephone set is to be inactive for any substantial period of time, thequotation page places the slider of rotary switch 31 in any of the oipositions, thereby completely breaking the circuit through the commonbattery 34.

It will be apparent that the o positions of switch 31 are not absolutelynecessary as a switch in series with wire 2" could be employed todisconnect the common battery. If such a system were employed, switches32, 32 could be maintained completely synchronized at all times withswitch 31. This complete synchronization could be obtained by means ofany conventional remote positional control or follow-up system insteadof the electromagnetic relay system sho-wn.

Furthermore, if, in any particular apph'cation,' it were not foundinconvenient to bring all the telephone lines 4', 4; 42', 42; etc. tothe station manned by the quotation page, the remote control feature ofswitches 32, 32 could be entirely omitted, that is, these two switchescould be located near the quotation page so as to be directly operableby him. In such case, Switch 31, relay winding 40 and transformer 33could be omitted, and the lower terminal of transmitter could beconnected directly to wire 2 through an on-ofr switch, wire 2" beingconnected directly to wire 35.

In the circuit of Fig. 5 control `of the condition or status of theconnected magnetic recorder is indicated as being effected by way ofswitch and a D. C. relay winding 16 and local battery 30, as describedwith respect to Fig. 3. If the A. C. control system of Fig. 2 wereemployed, the interconnection of wires 2 and 35 could be omitted.

In Fig. 6, there is disclosed a magnetic recorder, which, although notof the type having an endless revolving magnetic medium, is neverthelessadapted to replace the magnetic recorder shown in the previous figures.The magnetic recorder 5 in this case has a magnetic recording mediumwhich winds onto the left hand take-up drum and olf of the right handsupply drum. Provisions well known in the magnetic recorder art may beemployed to maintain constant the linear velocity of the magnetic mediumas it passes the magnetic heads RH and TH despite the varying effectiveexternal diameter of the drums. Suicient magnetic tape or Wire, as thecase may be, is originally provided on the supply drum to last theentire trading day of the exchangeusually five hours.

In this case, no erasing head EH is provided and the recording head RHis maintained operatively coupled to lines 4', 4" and 6, 6". The soleswitch controlled from the time delay relay winding 16 is switch 18which, in its non-normal position, eiectively disconnects thetransmitting head TH from the line, as before. Control of the time delayrelay consisting of winding 16 and switch 18 may be obtained in the samemanner as described with respect to Fig. 3, that is, by the quotationpage momentarily closing switch 15 and thus grounding wire 2" when hedesires to change the recorded quotation. The A. C. control system ofFig. 2 may be employed, if desired.

The delay period in this case is the time required for a point on themagnetic medium to transverse the distance between the recording head RHand the transmitting head TH. This time, as before, should be somewhatlonger than the time required to speak a quotation.

When the magnetic recorder is in its transmitting condition, that is,when switch 18 is in its closed normal position, the transmitting headwill impress upon line 6', 6 the quotation which has been previouslyrecorded on that portion of the magnetic medium 25' which lies betweenthe transmitting head and the recording head. At the same time, theidentical signal is being received by the recording head RH and is beingagain recorded on an adjacent clean portion of the magnetic medium 25'.When this newly recorded portion of the magnetic medium passes thetransmitting head TH the whole process occurs all over again. It will beapparent therefore that a quotation once recorded will repeatedly betransmitted over line 6, 6.

When the quotation page desires to change the quotation, he momentarilycloses switch 15 of Fig. 3, thereby rendering the transmitting head THineffective for the delay period. The recording head RH then records thenew quotation impressed upon line 2, 2 by the quotation page. As before,the quotation page must complete the quotation during the delay period.

An important advantage of the system shown in Fig. 6 is that at the endof the day the days quotations are permanently and chronologicallyrecorded on the magnetic medium stored on the left hand drum. Thisrecord may be useful for legal purposes or as a check on the eiciency ofthe quotation page.

In the quotation system of the present invention as it has thus far beendescribed, one magnetic recorder is provided for each individualsecurity. In some instances, this may be unwarranted, particularly forunpopular, or slow moving securities, the quotations for which do notchange very rapidly. Accordingly, it may be desirable to have onemagnetic recorder continuously repeat the quotations for a group ofsecurities. It will be apparent that the previously described systemsare adapted without change to accomplish this with the one limitationthat the quotation page treat the entire group as a unit, that is, thequotation page, in order to change the recorded quotation of onesecurity of the group, would have to erase and re-record the quotationsfor the whole group. The delay period or cycle time would then, ofcourse, be the time required to recite the whole group of securities.The call letters of each security would also have to be recited alongwith the quotation for identitication purposes. If the group comprisedall of the securities assigned to a particular telephone and control set1, the associated line selector switch 3 could be omitted and a directpermanent connection made between the telephone and control set and theassociated single magnetic recorder.

The quotation systems illustrated in the remaining iigures havereference to systems wherein, notwithstanding the fact that a group ofsecurities is assigned to a recorder, the quotation page is not requiredto treat the group as a unit, but rather, may erase and re-record anydesired one of the group. In all of the following figures,

it is assumed purely for illustrative purposes that a group of sixsecurities, designated A, B, C, D, E, and F, is assigned to the magneticrecorder.

In Fig. 7, there is illustrated how the system of Fig. 6 may be adaptedto this kind of operation. The system of Fig. 7 will be understood toinclude everything included in the system of Fig. 6 and, in addition,the rotating dial 50 and xed index 51 arrangement which is locatedremotely from the magnetic recorder in a position visible to thequotation page.

Dial 50 is rotated in synchronism with the magnetic recorder drive suchthat it makes one complete revolution in the time required for themagnetic recorder to traverse the distance from the recording head RH tothe transmitting head TH. The dial 50 is visibly divided into six equalsectors labelled in accordance with the call letters of the sixsecurities A, B, C, D, E, F, aslshown. The magnetic medium 25 may bethought of as having repeating groups of six equal portions or lengths,each portion being assigned to a particular security, as indicated.

It will be apparent therefore that the dial and index arrangementprovides the quotation page with an exact visible representation of theinstantaneous spatial relationship which exists at the recorder, index51 having the same spatial relationship, with respect to the sectoreddial 50 as the transmitting head TH and recording head RH have withrespect to the recorded quotations on the magnetic medium 25'.

The control relay consisting of winding 16 and switch 18" may be a timedelay relay or not. If a time delay relay is employed, the delay periodis set equal to onesixth of the time required for the magnetic medium totraverse the distance from the recording head RH to the transmittinghead TH. If the quotation page desires to change a particular quotation,for example B, and a time delay relay is provided, he momentarily closeshis control switch at the instant that the B sector first reaches theindex 51. He then recites the correct new B quotation during theinterval in which the B sector is passing under index 51, completing hisrecitation before the C sector reaches the index. If a time delay relayis not employed, the procedure is identical except that the quotationpage must hold his control switch 15 closed during theV entire intervalin which the B sector is passing beneath index 51.-

In a similar manner, the conventional type of repeating magneticrecorders shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 may readily be employed in thistype of system. This is illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein the equipment maybe considered as iden* tical to that of Figs. 2 or 3 except for the dial50 and indices 52, 53, and 54, which indices have the same spatialrelationship with respect to sectored dial 50 as the magnetic heads TH,RH, and EH, respectively, have with respect to the portions of themagnetic medium assigned to the respective quotations A through F.

The index 54, corresponding to the erasing head EH, is the only one ofthe indices which is really essential. In operation, the procedure ofthe quotation page is identical with that described with respect to Fig.7, in this case index 54 corresponding to index 51 of Fig. 7. Index 53,corresponding to the recording head RH, may be used by the quotationpage to provide an exact indication of the fraction of an instant hemust wait after initiating the erasing condition by control switch 15before he may start reciting the new recording. Index 52 correspondingto the transmitting head TH may be utilized while monitoring to providea check on the synchronism between the recorded quotations A through Fand the corresponding sectors of dial 50. If a time delay relay is usedfor control of the condition of the recorder in Fig. 8, the delay periodis set equal to one-sixth of the time required for the magnetic medium25 to make one complete revolution around the recorder.

The system shown in Fig. 9 is identical to that of Fig. 8 with thefollowing exceptions. The erasing head EH' is physically elongated tothe extent that its magnetic iield of inuence covers one-sixth of theentire length of the magnetic medium 25, that is, the length assigned toone quotation, such as B. Thus, a momentary excitation of the erasinghead EH' is sutiicient to erase exactly one quotation in its entirety.Index 54', corresponding to erasing head EH', is similarly elongated tocover one complete sector of the rotating dial 50. In this case, twocontrol relays are provided to control the condition of the magneticrecorder, both relays being energized from the same control signal. Onerelay is a time delay relay controlling the switching elements which arein series With the recording and transmitting circuits of the recorder,the same as in Fig. 3. A separate relay having no time delay feature isprovided to control the position of the switching element which is inseries with the erasing circuit of the recorder.

In operation, the quotation page waits until the index 54' is alignedexactly with the sector which corresponds to the quotation he desires tochange. At that instant, he momentarily closes his control switch 15,thereby instantaneously erasing the incorrect quotation in its entirety.As before, he then waits the fraction of an instant required for thesector corresponding to the erased quotation to reach index 53 whichcorresponds to the recording 'head RH, and then recites the newquotation while this sector is passing beneath index, 53.

Since many changes could be made in the above construction, and manyapparent widely diierent embodiments of `this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description, or shown in the accompanyingdrawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

[1. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording head and atransmitting head and a movable magnetic medium operatively associatedwith said heads, circuit means for coupling the input of said recordinghead and the output of said transmitting head to said telephone line,said circuit means including a switch for uncoupling the output of saidtransmitting head from said telephone line, and means for continuouslydriving said magnetic medium irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal across said line.]

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim l, said magnetic recorder being of thetype having its magnetizable medium adapted to be wound oit of a supplydrum onto a takeup drum and said transmitting head being spaced asubstantial distance from said recording head in the direction ofmovement of the magnetizable medium.

3. In a communication system, repeating type mag-r netic recordingreproducing equipment comprising a movable magnetizable medium, a supplydrum for said magnetizable medium, a take-up drum for said magnetizablemedium, a recording head and associated circuit, a transmitting head andassociated circuit, and circuit means feeding the output of saidtransmitting circuit back to said recording circuit as an input thereto.

4. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording circuit anda transmitting circuit, circuit means for coupling both the input ofsaid recording circuit and the output of said transmitting circuit tosaid line, said circuit means including a relay operated switch forrendering ineffective the coupling between the output of saidtransmitting circuit and said telephone line, and a relay winding,electrically connected to said line, for controlling said switch.

[5. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a telephoneand control set, a telephone line associated with said set, a pluralityof remotely positioned repeating type magnetic recording-reproducingdevices, selective switching means for electrically connecting said lineto a selected one of said recording-reproducing devices, a tirstmanually operable control means disposed at said set for controlling theoperation of said switching means, and a second manually operable remotecontrol means disposed at said set for selectively controlling theeffective operative connection between said line and the connectedrecording-reproducing device as between a connection wherein a signalappearing on said line is recorded by said recorder, on the one hand,and a connection wherein a signal previously recorded by said recorderis reproduced and impressed upon said line.]

6. In a telephonie communication system, a telephone set; a plurality ofrepeating type magnetic recorders, each having a telephone lineassociated therewith; selective switching means for connecting saidtelephone set to any one of said telephone lines; each of said recordershaving associated therewith an input recording circuit and an outputtransmitting circuit, said circuits both being elec trically coupled tothe associated telephone line, a relay operated switch controlling theoperative condition of the recorder as between record condition andtransmit condition, and a relay winding, electrically connected to theassociated telephone line, for controlling said relay operated switch;and manually operable means at said telephone set for electing theenergization of the relay connected to the telephone set.

7. In a telephonie communication system, a telephone and control set; aplurality of magnetic recorders each having a telephone line associatedtherewith; selective switching means for connecting said telephone andcontrol set to any one of said telephone lines; each of said recordershaving associated therewith an input recording circuit and an outputtransmitting circuit, a relay operated switch operatively connectingsaid recording circuit to the associated line, and a relay winding,electrically connected to the associated line, for controlling theposition of said relay operated switch; and manually operable means atsaid telephone and control set for energizing the relay connected tothat telephone line which is currently connected to the telephoneandcontrol set.

8. In a telephonic communication system, a telephone and control set; aplurality of magnetic recorders each having a telephone line associatedtherewith; selective switching means for connecting said telephone andcontrol set to any one of said telephone lines; each of said recordershaving an operative connection to the associated line and also havingrelay operated switch means in said connection for controlling theoperative relationship between said recorder and said line as between arelationship wherein a signal appearing on said line is recorded by therecorder and a relationship wherein a signal previously recorded isreproduced and impressed upon said line, each of said recorders alsohaving a relay winding, electrically connected to the associated line,for controlling said relay operated switching means, whereby said relayis responsive to a control signal impressed upon the associated line;and manually operable means disposed at said telephone and control setfor impressing the control signal upon that line to which the telephoneand control set is currently connected.

[9. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, rst and secondtelephone sets, a telephone line, means for establishing a connectionbetween said first set and said line, means for establishing aconnection between said second set and said line, a repeating typemagnetic recorder having a recording input connection and a transmittingoutput connection, circuit means for coupling both of said connectionsto said telephone line, switching means associated with said recorderfor controlling the operative condition of said recorder as betweenrecord condition and transmit condition, and remote control meansassociated with one of said telephone sets for controlling saidswitching means] 10. In a telephonie communication system, incombination, first and second telephone sets, a telephone line, meansfor establishing a connection between said first set and said line,means for establishing a connection between said second set and saidline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording head and atransmitting head, circuit means for coupling both the input of saidrecording head and the output of said transmitting head to said line,said circuit means including a relay operated switch for uncoupling theoutput of said transmitting head from said line, and a relay winding forcontrolling said switch, said winding being electrically connected tosaid line to be responsive to a control signal impressed upon said line,and manually operable means at one of said telephone sets for impressingsaid control signal on said line.

11. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control signalconstitutes an alternating signal of a frequency not in the normal voicerange.

12. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said control signalconstitutes a D. C. signal with ground return.

13. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, first andsecond telephone sets, a telephone line, means for establishing aconnection between said iirst set and said line, means for establishinga connection between said second set and said line, a repeating typemagnetic recorder having a recording input connection and a transmittingoutput connection, circuit means for coupling both of said connectionsto said telephone line, a time delay relay operated switch associatedwith said recorder for controlling the operative condition of saidrecorder as between record-erase condition and transmit condition, atime delay relay winding for controlling said switch, the delay of saidrelay being set equal to the cycle time of said recorder, and manualmeans located at one of said telephone sets for effecting the momentaryenergization of said timerlelay relay winding.

14. In a telephonic`communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recordingreproducing device having arecording head, a transmitting head, and an erasing head, means forgenerating an erasing signal for said erasing head, circuit means forcoupling said recording head and transmitting head to said telephoneline and said erasing head to said generating means, said circuit meansincluding a relay operated gang switch having a switching elementassociated with each of said heads, the normal position of said switchbeing such as to uncouple the recording head from said line and uncouplethe erasing head fromv said generating means, and the non-normalposition of said switch being such as to uncouple said transmitting headfrom said line, and a relay winding, electrically connected to saidline, for controlling the position of said switch.

l5. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording circuit anda transmitting circuit, circuit means for coupling both the input ofsaid recording circuit and the output of said transmitting circuit tosaid line, a movable dial and fixed index arrangement located at aremote termination of said line and means for driving said dialsynchronously with respect to said magnetic recorder, said dial beingdivided into a number of equal sectors.

16. In a communication system, a movable magnetizable medium, a supplydrum for said magnetizable me dium, a take-up drum for said magnetizablemedium, a drive for at least one of said drums, a recording head andassociated circuit, a transmitting head and associated circuit, circuitmeans feeding the output of said transmitting circuit back tosaidrecording circuit as an input thereto, an indicator arrangementconsisting of a dial element and a pointer element, and means forrotating one of said elements at a rate such that it makes one completerevolution in the interval required for the magnetizable medium totraverse the distance between said recording head and said transmittinghead.

17. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 16, wherein said dial element isdivided into a plurality of equal sectors.

18. In a communication system, a magnetizable medium, a recording headand an .erasing head associated with said magentizable medium, motivemeans for driving said magnetizable. medium past said heads, a rotatabledial, ixed indices associated with said dial, said indices beingspatially related to said dial and to each other in the same way thatsaid heads are spatially related to said magnetic medium and to eachother, and means for driving said dial synchronously with respect tosaid magnetic medium.

19. In a communication system, repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing equipment comprising a movable magnenzable medium,a supply drum for said magnetizable medium, a take-up drum for saidmagnetizable medium, a recording head and associated circuit, atransmitting head and associated circuit, circuit means feeding theoutput of said transmitting circuit back to said recording circuit as aninput thereto, and electrical transmission voice channel, meansconnected to said channel for converting electrical variations tocorresponding atmospheric pressure variations, and means for couplingthe output of said transmitting circuit to said channel.

20. In a communication system, repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing equipment comprising a movable magnetizablemedium, a supply drum for said magnetizable medium, a take-up drum forsaid magnetizable medium, a recording head and associated circuit, atransmitting head and associated circuit, circuit means feeding theoutput of said transmitting circuit back to said recording circuit as auinput thereto, an electrical transmission voice channel, circuit meansfor coupling the output of said transmitting circuit to said channel,means connected to said channel for converting electrical variations tocorresponding atmospheric pressure variations, and a switch forrendering inelective said transmitting head.

21. In a communication system, repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing equipment comprising a movable magnetizablemedium, a supply drum for said magnetizable medium, a take-up drum forsaid magnetizable medium, `a recording head and associated circuit, atransmitting head and associated circuit, circuit means feeding theoutput of said transmitting circuit back to said recording circuit as aninput thereto, an electrical transmission voice channel, circuit meansfor coupling the output of said transmitting circuit and the input ofsaid recording circuit to said channel, means for initially impressing avoltage signal representing vocal intelligence on said channel, andmeans for rendering said transmitting head ineffective during suchinitial impression.

22. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a movable magneticmedium, a recording circuit, and a transmitting circuit, circuit meansfor coupling both the input of said recording circuit and the output ofsaid transmitting circuit to said line, said circuit means including arelay operated switch for rendering inelective the coupling between theoutput of said transmitting circuit and said telephone line, a relaywinding, electrically connected to said line, for controlling saidswitch, and means for continuously driving said magnetic mediumirrespective and independently of the presence of any voltage signalacross said telephone line.

23. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recording-reproducing device havingarecording head, a transmitting head, an erasing head, and a movablemagnetic medium operatively associated with said heads, means forgenerating an erasing signal for said erasing head, circuit means forcoupling said recording head and transmitting head to said telephoneline and said erasing head to said generating means, said circuit meansincluding a relay operated gang switch having a switching elementassociated with each of said heads, the normal position of said switchbeing such as to uncouple the recording head from said line and uncouplethe erasing head from said generating means, and the non-normal positionof said switch being such as to uncouple the transmitting head from fromsaid line, a relay winding, electrically connected to said line, forcontrolling the position of said switch, and means for continuouslydriving said magnetic medium irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal across said telephone line.

24. [In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording head and atransmitting head and a movable magnetic medium operatively associatedwith said heads, circuit means for operatively connecting said magneticrecorder to said line, said circuit means including a two positionswitch having a switching element Lassociated with each of said heads,the normal position of said switch being such as to make a connectionbetween the transmitting head and said line and to break a connectionbetween the recording head and said line and the non-normal position ofsaid switch being such as to make a connection between the recordinghead and said line and to break a connection between the transmittinghead and said line, and means for continuously driving said magneticmedium irrespective and independ- 16 entlyz'| of the presence of anyvoltage signal across said line.

25. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, la repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording head and atransmitting head and a movable magnetic medium operatively associatedwith said heads, circuit means for operatively connecting said magneticrecorder to said line, said circuit means including a two position relayoperated switch having a switching element associated with each of saidheads, the normal position of said switch being such as to make aconnection between the transmitting head and said line and to break aconnection between the recording head and said line and the non-normalposition of said switch being such as to make a connection between therecording head and said line and to break a connection between thetransmitting head and said line, means for continuously driving saidmagnetic medium irrespective and independently of the presence of anyvoltage signal across said line, and a relay winding, electricallyconnected to said line, for controlling the position of said switch.

26. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording circuit anda transmitting circuit, circuit means for operatively connecting saidmagnetic recorder to said line, said circuit means including a twoposition relay operated switch, the normal position of said switch beingsuch as to make a connection between the output of said transmittingcircuit and said line and to break a connection between the input ofsaid recording circuit and said line and the non-normal position of saidswitch being such as to make a connection between the input of saidrecording circuit and said line and to break a connection between theoutput of said transmitting circuit and said line, and a relay winding,electrically connected to said line, for controlling the position ofsaid switch.

27. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a telephoneline, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording circuit anda transmitting circuit, circuit means for operatively connecting saidmagnetic recorder to said line, said circuit means including a twoposition relay operated switch, the normal position of said switch beingsuch as to make a connection between the output of said transmittingcircuit and said line and to break a connection between the input ofsaid recording circuit and said line and the non-normal position of saidswitch being such as to make a connection between the input of saidrecording circuit and said line and to break a connection between theoutput of said transmitting circuit and said line, a relay winding,electrically connected to said line, for controlling the position ofsaid switch, and means for continuously driving said magnetic mediumirrespective and independently of the presence of any voltage signalacross said line.

28. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,a gang of remotely positioned repeating type magneticrecordingreproducing devices each having an endless movable magneticmedium associated therewith, a gang of telephone lines each connected toan associated one of said recording-reproducing devices, means forconnecting said opera- V'2"ors line to a selected onev of the linesassociated with' said devices, said last named means including a deviceselective switching means, n'rst manually operable control meansdisposed at said set, and means` responsive to actuation of said controlmeans for selectively remotely controlling the position of said deviceselective switching means, a gang of condition selective switchingmeans, each adapted to selectively control the effective operativeconnection between' an associated one of said devices and its associatedtelephone line as between a CQnnection wherein a signal previouslyrecorded on the ually operable control means disposed at said set, meansi responsive to actuation of said second control means for selectivelyremotely controlling the operation of that one of said conditionselective switching means which is associated with the particular deviceand associated line which are connected to said operators line, aplurality of remotely positioned subscribers telephone lines, eachhaving associated dialing equipment, a second device selective switchingmeans responsive to the receipt of dial Itones over said subscriberslines for effective simultaneous connections between various ones of thesubscribers' lines` and various ones of the device associated telephonelines, and common driving means for continuously driving the magneticmediums of all of said devices irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal across any of said telephone lines, theoperation of either of said control means, and the position of any ofsaid switching means.

29. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a gang of remotely positioned repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing devices each having an endless movable magneticmedium associated therewith, a gang of telephone lines each connected toan associated one of said recording-reproducing devices, means ,forconnecting said operators line to a selected one of the lines associatedwith said devices, said last named means including a devicev selectiveswitching means, rst manually operable control means disposed at saidset, and means responsive to actuation of said control means forselectively remotely controlling the position of said device selectiveswitching means, a gang of condition selective switching means, eachadapted to selectively control the eective operative connection betweenan associated one of said devices and its associated telephone line asbetween a connection wherein a signal previously recorded on the deviceis reproduced and impressed upon its associated line, on the one hand,and a connection wherein a signal previously recorded on the device iserased and a new signal appearing on the associated line issimultaneously recorded on the device, on the other hand, a secondmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said second control means for selectively remotelycontrolling the operation of that one of said condition selectiveswitching means which is associated with the particular device andassociated line which are connected to said operators line, said lastnamed means including a control signal connection through said deviceselective switching means, a plurality of remotely positionedsubscribers telephone lines, each having associated dialing equipment,and a second device selective switching means for effecting simultaneousconnections between various ones of the subscribersJ lines and variousones of the device associated telephone lines.

30. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a gang of remotely positioned repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing devices each having an endless movable magneticmedium associated therewith, a gang ojf telephone lines each connectedto an associated one of said recording-reproducing devices, means forconnecting said operators line to a selected one of the lines associatedwith said devices, said last named means including a device selectiveswitching means, first manu'- ally operable control means disposed atsaid set, and means responsive to actuation of said control means forselectively remotely controlling the position of said device selectiveswitching means, a gang of condition selective switching means, eachadapted to selectively con'trol the eective operative connection betweenan associated one of said devices and its associated telephone line asbetween a connection wherein a signal previously recorded on the deviceis reproduced and impressed upon its associated line, on the one hand,and a connection wherein a signal previously recorded on the device iserased and a new signal appearing on the associated line issimultaneously recorded on the device, on the other hand, a secondmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said second rontrol means for selectively remotelycontrolling lthe operation of that one of said condition selectiveswitching means which is associated with the particular device andassociated line which are connected to said operators line, said lastnamed means including a control signal connection through said deviceselective switching means, a plurality of remotely positionedsubscribers telephone lines, each having associated dialing equipment, asecond device selective switching means responsive to the receipt ofdial tones over said subscribers lines for effecting simultaneousconnections between various ones of the subscribers lines and variousones of the device associated telephone lines, and common driving meansfor continuously driving the magnetic mediums of all of said devicesirrespective and independently of the presence of any voltage signalacross any of said telephone lines, the operation of either of saidcontrol means, and the position of any of said switching means.

3] In a telephonic communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a gang of remotely positioned repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing devices each having an endless movable magneticmedium associated therewith, timing means for measuring a period of timeequal to that required for a complete cycle of said magnetic mediums, agang of telephone lines each connected to an associated one of saidrecording-reproducing devices, means for connecting said operators lineto a selected single one only of the lines associated with said devices,said last named means including a device selective switching means,first manually operable control means disposed at said set, and meansresponsive to actuation of said control means for selectively remotelycontrolling the position of said device selective switching means, agang of condition selective switching means, each adapted to selectivelycontrol the effective operative connection between an associated one ofsaid devices and its associated telephone line as between a normalconnection wherein a signal previously recorded on the device isreproduced and impressed upon its associated line, on the onehand, and anon-normal connection wherein a signal previously recorded on the deviceis erased and a new signal appearing on the associated line issimultaneously recorded on the device, on the other hand, a secondmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto momentary actuation of said second control means for remotelyactuating to its non-normal position that one of said conditionselective switching means which is associated with the particular deviceand associated line which are connected to said operators line, meansresponsive to said timing means for automatically returning saidactuated condition selective switching means 'to its normal positionafter the iapse of one complete cycle, a plurality of remotelypositioned subscribers telephone lines, each having associated dialingequipment, a second device selective switching means responsive to thereceipt of dial tones over said subscribers' lines for eectingsimultaneous connections between various ones of the subscribers linesand various ones of the device associated telephone lines, and commondriving means for continuously driving the magnetic mediums of all ofsaid devices irrespective and independently of the presence of anyvoltage signal across any of said telephone lines, the operation ofeither of said control means, and the position of any of said switchingmeans.

32. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a gang of remotely positioned repeating type magneticrecording-reproducing devices each having an endless movable magneticmedium associated therewith, timing means for measuring aperiod of timeequal to that required for said magnetic mediums to make a completecycle, a gang of telephone lines each connected to an associated on ofsaid recording-reproducing devices, means for connecting said operatorsline to a selected single one only of the lines associaed with saiddevices, said last named means including a device selective switchingmeans, first manually operable control means disposed at said set, andmeans repsonsive to actuation of said control means for selectivelyremotely controlling the position of said device selective switchingmeans, a gang of condition selective switching means, each adapted toselectively control the effective operative connection between anassociated one of said devices and its associated telephone line asbetween a normal connection wherein a signal previously recorded on thedevice is reproduced and impressed upon its associated line, on the onehand, and a non-normal connection wherein a signal previously recordedon the device is erased and a new signal appearing on the associatedline is simultaneously recorded on the device, on the other hand, asecond manually operable control means disposed at said set, meansresponsive to momentary actuation of said second control means and tosaid timing means for transferring to its non-normal position, for onecycle, that one of said condition selective switching means which isassociated with the particular device and associated line which areconnected to said operators line, said last-named means including acontrol signal connection through said device selective switching means,there remaining at least a plurality of the condition selectiveswitching means in their normal reproduce positions, a plurality ofremotely positioned subscribers telephone lines, each having associateddialing equipment, a second device selective switching means responsiveto the receipt of dial tones over said subscribers lilies for effectingsimultaneous connections between various ones of the said subscriberslines and various ones of the said devices, common driving means for allof said magnetic mediums, means for continuously energizing said commondriving means irrespective and independently of the presence of anyvoltage signal across any of said telephone lines, the operation ofeither of said control means, and the position of any of said switchingmeans, and means for providing the operator with a physical indicationof the duration of one cycle.

33. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on a different item individual to that devicerecorded thereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, anendless movable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a signalpreviously recorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing apreviously recorded signal and recording a new signal on said medium andcondition selective switching means having a normal reproduce positionconnecting said reproducing means for effective operation and anon-normal erase-record position connecting said erase-record means foreffective operation, a

remotely positioned operators telephone and control set having anoperators transmitter and an operators receiver and an operatorstelephone line associated therewith, device selective switching meansadapted to connected said operators line to a selected one of saidmagnetic recording-reproducing devices yrst manually operable controlmeans disposed at said set for selectively controlling the operation ofsaid device selective switching means, a second manually operable remotecontrol means disposed at said set for transferring to its non-normalerase-record position that one of said condition selective switchingmeans which is associated with the particular device which is connectedto the said operators telephone line, there remaining at least aplurality of the condition selective switching means in their normalreproduce positions, a plurality of remotely positioned subscriberstelephone lines, and a second device selective switching nzeans foreffecting simultaneous connections between various ones of the saidsubscribers' lines and various ones of the said devices.

34. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on a different tem individual to that devicerecorded thereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, anendless movable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a signalpreviously recorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing apreviously recorded signal and recording a new signaly on said medium,and condition selective switching means having a normal reproduceposition connecting said reproducing means for eective operation and anon-normal erase-record position connecting said erase-record means foreective operation, a remotely positioned operators telephone and controlset having an operators transmitter and an operators receiver and anoperators telephone line associated therewith, said telephone line beingconnected both to said transmitter and to said receiver, deviceselective switching means adapted to connect said operators line to aselected one of said magnetic recording-reproducing devices in operativereproduce or record relationship therewith depending on the position ofthe associated condition selective switching means, first manuallyoperable control means disposed at said set for selectively controllingthe operation of said device selective switching means, a secondmanually operable remote control means disposed at said set fortransferring to its non-normal erase-record position that one of saidcondition selective switching means which is associated with theparticular device which is connected to the said operators telephoneline, there remaining at least a plurality of the condition selectiveswitching means in their normal reproduce positions, a plurality ofremotely positioned subscribers telephone lines and a second deviceselective switching means for effecting simultaneous connections betweenvarious ones of the said subscribers lines and various ones of the saiddevices.

35. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recording-reproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on a different item individual to that devicerecorded thereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, anendless movable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a signalpreviously recorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing apreviously recorded signal and recording a new signal on said medium,and condition selective switching means having a normal reproduceposition connecting said reproducing means for eective operation and anon-normal erase-record position connecting said erase-record means foreective operation, a remotely positioned operators telephone and controlset having an :operators transmitter and an operators receiver and anoperators telephone line associated therewith, device selective'switching means adapted to connect said operators line to a selectedsingle one only of said magnetic recording-reproducing devices, firstmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said control means for selectively remotely controllingthe operation of said device selective switching means, a secondmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said second control means for transferring to itsnonnormal erase-record position that one of said condition selectiveswitching means which is associated with the particular device which isconnected to the said operator's telephone line, there remaining atleast a plurality of the condition selective switching means in theirnormal reproduce positions, a plurality of remotely positionedsubscribers telephone lines, each having associated dialing equipment,and a second device selective switching means responsive to the receiptof dial tones over said subscribers lines for effecting simultaneousconnections between various ones of the subscribers lines and variousones of the device associated telephone lines.

36. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recording-reproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on a dierent item individual to that device recordedthereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, an endlessmovable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a signal previouslyrecorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing a previouslyrecorded signal and recording a new signal on said medium, and conditionselective switching means having a normal reproduce position connectingsaid reproducing means for effective operation and a non-normalerase-record position connecting said erase-record means for effectiveoperation, a common drive means for the magnetic mediums of all of saiddevices, said magnetic mediums having a common period for completion ofone cycle, a remotely positioned operators telephone and control sethaving an operators transmitter and an operators receiver and anoperators telephone line associated therewith, device selectiveswitching means adapted `to connect said operators line to a selectedsingle one only of said magnetic recording reproducing devices, firstmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said control means for selectively remotely controllingthe operation of said device selective switching means, a secondmanually operable control means disposed at said set, means responsiveto actuation of said second control means for transferring to itsmon-normaly erase-record position that one of said condition selectiveswitching means which is associated with the particular device which isconnected to the said operators telephone line, there remaining at leasta plurality of the condition selective switching means in their normalreproduce positions, a plurality of remotely positioned subscriberstelephone lines, each having associated dialing equipment, a seconddevice selective switching means responsive to the receipt of dial tonesover said subscribers lines for eecting simultaneous connections betweenvarious ones of the subscribers lines and various ones of the saiddevices, and means for continuously energizing said common drive meansirrespective and independently of the presence of any voltage signalacross any of said telephone lines, the operation of either of saidcontrol means, and the position of any of said switching means.

37. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recording-reproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on. a dierent item individual to that deviceArecorded thereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, anendless movable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a t signalpreviously recorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing apreviously recorded signal and recording a new signal on said medium,and condition selective switching means having a normal reproduceposition connecting said reproducing means for effective operation and anon-normal erase-record position connecting said erase-record means foreffective operation, a conimon drive means for the magnetic mediums ofall of said devices, said magnetic mediums having a common period forcompletion of one cycle, timing means for measuring a period of timeequal to said cycle time, a remotely positioned operators telephone andcontrol set having an operators transmitter and an operators receiverand an operators telephone line associated therewith, device selectiveswitching means adapted to connect said operators line to a selected oneof said magnetic recording-reproducing devices, rst manually operablecontrol means disposed at said set, means responsive to actuation ofsaid control means for selectively remotely controlling the operation ofsaid device selective switching means, a second manually operablecontrol means disposed at said set, means responsive to momentaryactuation of said second control means and to said timing means fortransferring to its non-normal erase-record position, for one cycle,that one ,of said condition selective switching means which isassociated with the particular device which is connected to saidoperators telephone line, said last-named means including a controlsignal connection through said device selective switching means, thereremaining at least a plurality of the condition selective switchingmeans in their normal reproduce positions, a plurality of remotelypositioned subscribers telephone lines, each having associated dialingequipment, a second device selective switching means responsive to thereceipt of dial tones over said subscribers lines for eectingsimultaneous connections between various ones of the said subscribers'lines and various ones of the said devices, means for continuouslyenergizing said common driving means irrespective and independently ofthe presence of any voltage signal across any of said telephone lines,the operation of either of said control means, and the position of anyof said switching means, and means for providing the operator with aphysical indication of the duration of one cycle.

38. In a telephonic communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each havingcurrent information on a different item individual to that devicerecorded thereon, each of said devices having, associated therewith, anendless movable magnetic medium, means for reproducing a signalpreviously recorded on said medium, means for simultaneously erasing apreviously recorded signal and recording a new signal on said medium,and condition selective switching means having a normal reproduceposition connecting said reproducing means for eective operation and anon-normal erase-record position connecting said erase-record means foreective operation, a common drive means for the magnetic mediums of allof said devices, said magnetic mediums having a common period forcompletion of one cycle, timing means for measuring a period of timeequal to said cycle time, a remotely positioned operator-s telephone andcontrol set having an openators transmitter and an operators receiverand an openators telephone line associated therewith, said telephoneline being connected both to said transmitter and to said receiver,device selective switching means adapted to connect said operators lineto a selected single one only of said magnetic recording-reproducingdevices in operative reproduce or record relationship therewithdepending on the position of the associated condition selectiveswitching means, rst manually operable control meansn disposed at saidset, means responsive to actuation of said control means for selectivelyremotely contro-lling the operation of said device selective switchingmeans, a second manually operable control means disposed at said set,means responsive to momentary [actuation of said second control meansand to said timing means for transferring to its non-normal eraserecordposition, for one cycle, that one of said condition selective switchingmeans which is associated with the particular device which isconnected/to the said operators telephone line, said last-named meansincluding a control signal connection through said device selectiveswitching means, there remaining at least a plurality ofthe conditionselective switching means in their normal reproduce positions, aplurality of remotely positioned subscribers telephone lines, eachhaving associated dialing equipment, a second device selective switchingmeans responsive to the receipt of dial tones over said subscriberslines for eecting simultaneous connections between various ones of thesaid subscribers lines and various ones of the said devices, means forcontinuously energizing said common driving means irrespective andindependently of the presence of any voltage signal across any of saidtelephone lines, the operation of either of said control means, and theposition of any of said switching means, and means for providing theoperator with a physical indication of the duration of one cycle.

39. In a telephonie communication syste/11, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a rec-ording head, atransmitting head, an erasing head, and an endless movable magneticmedium operatively associated with said heads, said recording head andsaid erasing head being connected to operate simultaneously, circuitmeans for coupling the input of said recording head and the output ofsaid transmitting head to said telephone line, said circuit meansincluding switch-- ing means operable to simultaneously uncouple theoutput of said transmitting head from said telephone line and energizesaid erasing head, timing means for automatically restoring saidswitching means to its original position after the lapse of a period oftime after operation of said switching means equal to the time requiredfor said magnetic medium to complete one cycle, means for continuouslydriving said magnetic medium irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal across said telephone line, and means forproviding `the operator with la physical indication of the time requiredfor said magnetic medium to complete one cycle.

4-0. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, an operatorstelephone and control set having an operators transmitter and anoperators receiver and an operators telephone line associated therewith,said telephone line being connected both to said transmitter and to saidreceiver, a repeating type magnetic recorder having a recording head, atransmitting head, an erasing head, and an endless movable magneticmedium operatively associated with said heads, a source of erasingpotential for said erasing head, circuit means for operativelyconnecting said magnetic recorder to said line, said circuit meansincluding a two position switch having a switching element associatedwith each of said heads, the normal position of said switch being suchas to make a connection between the transmitting head and said line andto break connections between the recording head and said line andbetween the erasing head and said potential source, and the non-normalposition -of said switch being such as to make connections between therecording head and said line and between the erasing lhead and saidpotential source and to break a connection between the transmitting headand said line, timing means for automatically restoring said switch toits normal position after the lapse of a period of time, after actuationof said switch to its non-normal position, equal to the time requiredfor said magnetic medium to complete one cycle, and means forcontinuously driving said magnetic medium irrespective and independentlyof the presence of any voltage signal across said telephone line.

41. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each of saiddevices having, associated therewith, an endless movable magneticmedium,

means for reproducing a signal previously recorded on said medium, meansfor simultaneously erasing a previously recorded signal and recording anew signal on said medium, and condition selective switching meanshaving a normal reproduce position connecting said reproducing means foreective operation and a non-normal eraserecord position connecting saiderase-record means for effective operation, each of said magneticmediums having magnetically recorded thereon current information on agroup of items individual to the associated recorder, separate portionsalong the length of each of said magnetic mediums having magneticallyrecorded thereon current information on an item individual to theassociated portion, a gang of telephone lines each connected to anassociated one of said recording-reproducing devices, an operatorscontrol set, an operators line extending to said operator's set, remotecontrol means, controllable from the operators set, for connecting saidoperators line to a selected one of the lines associated with saiddevices and for remotely transferring the condition selective switchingmeans associated with the selected line to its non-normal erase-recordposition for a period of time substantially equal to that required forthe magneticiI medium to move a distance equal to one of said portions,and means for continuously driving the magnetic mediums of all of saiddevices irrespective and independently of the presence of any voltagesignal across any of said lines.

42.`In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each of saiddevices having, associated therewith, an endless movable magneticmedium, means for reproducing a signal previously recorded on saidmedium, means for simultaneously erasing a previously recorded signaland recording a new signal on said medium, and condition selectiveswitching means having a normal reproduce position connecting saidreproducing means for eective operation and a non-normal erase-recordposition connecting said erase-record means for eective operation, eachof said magnetic mediums having magnetically recorded thereon currentinformation on a group of items individual to the associated recorder,separate equal portions along the length of each of said magneticmediums having magnetically recorded thereon current information on anitem individual to the associated portion, means for timing a period oftime substantially equal to that required for the magnetic medium tomove a distance equal to one' of said portions, a gang of telephonelines each connected to an associated one of said recording-reproducingdevices, a remotely positioned operators telephone set, an operatorsline extending to said operators set, means for connecting saidoperators line to a selected one of the lines associated with saiddevices, manually operable remote control means disposed at said set,means responsive to said control means and to said timing means forremotely transferrng that one of said condition selective switchingmeans which is associate-d with the particular device and associatedline which are connected to said operators line to its non-normalerase-record position for a period of time equal to said timed period,said last named means including means responsive to the appearance of acontrol signal across said line, means for impressing on said operatorsline voice currents representative of revised current information as toa single item during said timed period, a plurality of remotelypositioned subscribers telephone sets each having an associatedtelephone line and associated dialing equipment, and means responsive tothe receipt of dial tones over said subscribers lines for connectingsaid subscribers lines to selected ones of the device associatedtelephone lines.

43. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recordingreproducing devices, each of saiddevices having, associated therewith, an endless movable magneticmedium, means for reproducing a signal previously recorded on saidmedium, means for simultaneously erasing a previously recorded signaland recording a new signal on said medium, and condition selectiveswitching means having a normal reproduce position connecting saidreproducing means for eective operation and a non-normal erase-recordposition connecting said erase-record means for eective operation, eachof said magnetic mediums having magnetically recorded thereon currentinformation on a group of items individual to the associated recorder,separate equal portions along the length of each of said magneticmediums having magnetically recorded thereon current information on anitem individual to the associated portion, means for timing a period oftime substantially equal to that required for the magnetic,` medium tomove a distance equal to one of said portions, a gang of telephone lineseach connected to an associated one of said recording-reproducingdevices, an operators control set, an operators line extending to\saidoperators set, means for connecting said operators line to a selectedone of the lines associated with said devices, said last named meansincluding a device selective switching means, manually operable dialingmeans disposed at said set, and means responsive to actuation of saiddialing means for selectively remotely controlling the position of saiddevice selective switching means, a second manually operable controlmeans at said set, means responsive to momentary operation of saidsecond control means and to said timing means for automaticallytemporarily transferring that one condition selective switching meansassociated with the device connected to the operators line to itsnon-normal erase-record position for the duration of one timed period,means for impressing on said operators line voice currentsrepresentative of revised current information as to a single item duringsaid one timed period, and means for continuously driving the magneticmediums of all of said devices irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal across any of said telephone lines.

44. In a telephonie communication system, in combination, a gang ofrepeating type magnetic recording-repro- Aducing devices, each of saiddevices having, associated therewith, an endless movable magneticmedium, means for reproducing a signal previously recorded on saidmedium, means for simultaneously erasing a previously recorded signaland recording a new signal on said medium, and condition selectiveswitching means having a normal reproduce position connecting saidreproducing means for eective operation and a non-normal erase-recordposition connecting said erase-record means for effective operation,each of said magnetic mediums having magnetically recorded thereoncurrent information on a group of items individual to the associatedrecorder, separate equal portions along the length of each of saidmagnetic mediums having magnetically recorded thereon currentinformation on an item individual to the associated portion, means fortiming a period of time substantially equal to that required for themagnetic medium to move a distance equal to one of said portions, a gangof telephone lines each connected to an associated one of saidrecordingreproducing devices, a remotely positioned operators controlset, an operators line extending to said operators set, means forconnecting said operators line to a selected one of the lines associatedwith said devices, said last named means including a device selectiveswitching means, manually operable dialing means disposed at said set,and means responsive to actuation of said dialing means for selectivelyremotely controlling the position of said device selective switchingmeans, a second manually operable control means disposed at said set,means responsive to said second control means for remotely controllingthe operation of that one of said condition selective switching meanswhich is associated with the particular device and associated line whichare connected to said operator's line, said last named means includingmeans responsive to the appearance of an alternating control signal notin the normal voice range on said operators line for simultaneouslytransferring said one condition selective switching means to itsnon-normal erase-record position and for initiating operation of saidtiming means, and means responsive to said timing means forautomatically restoring said condition selective switching means to itsnormal position after said timed period of time, means for impressingo=n said operators line voice currents representac tive of revisedcurrent information as to a single itemi during said timed period oftime, a plurality of remotely positioned listeners telephone lines, eachhaving associated dialing equipment, a second device selective switchingmeans responsive to the receipt of dial tones over said listeners linesfor eecting simultaneous connections between various ones of thelisteners lines and various ones of the device associated telephonelines, and common driving means for continuously driving the magneticmediums of all of said devices irrespective and independently of thepresence of any voltage signal aross any of said lines, the operation ofany of said control or dialing means, and the position of any of saidswitching means.

References Cited in the le of this patent or the original patent UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Re. 23,054 Dealsin Dec. 7, 1948 2,006,455 Hickman July 2,1935 2,060,545 Abbott Nov. 10, 1936 2,092,493 Allen et al Sept. 7, 19372,221,883 Rowe Nov. 19, 1940 2,224,244 Hicks Dec. 10, 1940 2,350,083Walker May 30, 1944 2,351,009 Camras June 13, 1944 2,429,792 Begun Oct.28, 1947 2,526,358 Howell Oct. 17, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 691,711 FranceOct. 24, 1930

